JOSH FAGAN WATER storage for Bendigo remains in a strong position despite below average rainfall received in the catchment area in the past few months, Coliban Water has reported.2013-02-18T01:00:00+11:00
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Coliban storage levels ‘healthy’

By
JOSH FAGAN

WATER storage for Bendigo remains in a strong position despite below average rainfall received in the catchment area in the past few months, Coliban Water has reported.

WATER storage for Bendigo remains in a strong position despite below average rainfall received in the catchment area in the past few months, Coliban Water has reported.

Coliban’s raw water supply manager Steve Healy said the region was experiencing a very dry summer to date, however storages levels were in a healthy position with good inflows received in winter and spring last year.

Mr Healy said catchment storages near Kyneton were 76 per cent full – holding 53,000 megalitres.

“Whilst we have received little rainfall or inflows at these storages over the past four months, significant inflows were received during winter and spring which resulted in our storages spilling at that time,” Mr Healy said.

Demand for water consumption across the region has been high with some peak demand days not seen since the early 2000’s, Mr Healy said. “We have used these demand figures in our forecast planning,” he said. “Even with the current dry conditions and increased demand for water, the availability of water in the Goulburn and Campaspe systems remains high and combined with our own storage levels, put us in a strong position for 2013-14.”

Water restrictions have been eased for all towns within the Coliban Water region, with Permanent Water Saving Rules (PWSR) in place.

Mr Healy said PWSR would remain in place across the region for the rest of this year and most likely into next summer. The outlook for rural customers was also positive, he said, with the 2013-14 rural season allocation expected to open at 100 per cent.

“We are forecasting that the 2013-14 rural season will open at 100 per cent of licence allocation. Further announcements will be made from July this year to confirm our position.”